We get skeptical anytime “levitating” and “vehicle” are in the same sentence. But the drawings and explanations passed muster with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The vehicle, dubbed the Magno car, would use a series of electromagnets to isolate the vehicle's passenger cabin from the drive components and drive a set of spherical “wheels.” Steering and control inputs would be channeled through a joystick.

But not so fast, Marty McFly: The patent isn't exactly clear on the source of power for these energy-sucking suspension and propulsion magnets. Unless the inventor forgot to mention a cleverly incorporated Mr. Fusion unit, the Magno car faces the same energy storage limitations as conventional electric vehicles.

What do you think? Give us your opinion below (particularly if you're an engineer willing to sift through the patent documents).

Graham Kozak
- Graham Kozak drove a 1951 Packard 200 sedan in high school because he wanted something that would be easy to find in a parking lot. He thinks all the things they're doing with fuel injection and seatbelts these days are pretty nifty too. Read more »See more by this author»